Smt. Yogini Gandhi is one of the rare, talented virtuosos who can perform both Kathak and Odissi, two classical Indian dance forms with equal expertise and adroitness. After introductory training in Kathak, she was admitted to „Kala Chaya‟ a school of Kathak in Pune where she received guidance from the renowned Pt. Birju Maharaj. Later, she commenced her training in Odissi with Shri Natbar Maharana in Mumbai and further received guidance from the legendary Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra – one of the principal architects of present day Odissi.
Smt. Yogini Gandhi has strived to create awareness about these dance styles through lecture demonstrations and workshops at various social and educational institutions in India and abroad. She has also established Kalanidhi Institue for the Promotion of Indian Art and Culture, where she imparts training in dance. Besides being a performer and teacher, Yogini has been a prolific choreographer exploring various themes within the classical realm. This also includes blending together both Kathak & Odissi in a single presentation.
Starting from her first professional tour at the age of 19, she has been consistently giving performances at many prestigious festivals in India and abroad such as the Sawai Gandharva Mahotsav, Kathak Kendra Festivals, Ellora Festival, Parangat Mahotsav and many more. She has been bestowed with a number of awards and honors, a few of which include “Singaar Mani”, by the Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai and the Outstanding Young Person award by Jaycees International. She is an empanelled artist with the ICCR and an A graded Doordarshan TV artiste.